Untitled Document

Akala @ Dingwalls, Camden, London

By Olivia Fletcher:

Prior to the showcase, I hadn’t heard much about Akala, but after watching him perform material from his new album, and his new single ‘The Edge’ featuring Niara, with his live band, I was blown away. Performing in his manor, at Dingwalls in Camden, Ms Dynamite’s younger sibling was at home! Although Akala comes under the UK hip hop genre, with his poetic flow this North Londoner is the hip hop alternative, and it’s all good.

First off, you’ve got to love a live band; most live bands are just cool, and alongside his four band members, from the beginning Akala and co. made an awesome fivesome, getting down to some hot beats and serious rhythm.

Akala’s style is essentially based on a fusion of music genres; amongst others, it is noticeable that hip hop, indie, nu metal, and funk are some of his main influences; pretty much all kinds of music to create something unique. His sound is something like a concoction of The Neptunes, Blink 182, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The White Stripes, and Mos Def all rolled into one.

“Over the last five years, I’ve become increasingly frustrated by the rap world because of the repetitive production and bollock lyrics,” he tells the audience, something that most rap fans will probably agree with.

His stage presence was like that of a veteran artist; although the venue wasn’t completely packed – the majority were there to see Akala (rather than the other three acts also performing), he managed to get the audience to the front of the stage, and we were all feeling the energy with him, including sister, Ms Dynamite. Some of the guitar rifts the live band were playing really got me feeling like I wanted to start playing air guitar and moshing – a surprise, I know – but I wasn’t the only one thinking that!

For one of his tracks, he brought Niara on stage, who he has been working with for his forthcoming single ‘The Edge’. She threw down some soulful hooks, and their performance together was also overflowing with energy and charisma.

Akala also performed his hits ‘Roll Wid Us’ and ‘Bullsh*t’ – from which, I can say Akala definitely knows how to use his vocab, and political lyrics that addressed pessimism in the world – war, murder, racism, and what’s with disillusions with bling, violence, and morals? ‘That’s bullsh*t!’

Let’s hope Akala keeps it real, and with the possibility to appeal to a wide audience, he certainly has the ‘edge’. The UK scene needs more artists like this, spitting lyrics that speak the truth, lyrics that make you think, lyrics that have the prospect to make a change.

Akala’s single, ‘The Edge’, is out on April 10th, 2006, on Illa State Records.

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	Akala @ Dingwalls, Camden, London By Olivia Fletcher: Prior to the showcase, I hadn’t heard much about Akala, but after watching him perform material from his new album, and his new single ‘The Edge’ featuring Niara, with his live band, I was blown away. Performing in his manor, at Dingwalls in Camden, Ms Dynamite’s younger sibling was at home! Although Akala comes under the UK hip hop genre, with his poetic flow this North Londoner is the hip hop alternative, and it’s all good. First off, you’ve got to love a live band; most live bands are just cool, and alongside his four band members, from the beginning Akala and co. made an awesome fivesome, getting down to some hot beats and serious rhythm. Akala’s style is essentially based on a fusion of music genres; amongst others, it is noticeable that hip hop, indie, nu metal, and funk are some of his main influences; pretty much all kinds of music to create something unique. His sound is something like a concoction of The Neptunes, Blink 182, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The White Stripes, and Mos Def all rolled into one. “Over the last five years, I’ve become increasingly frustrated by the rap world because of the repetitive production and bollock lyrics,” he tells the audience, something that most rap fans will probably agree with. His stage presence was like that of a veteran artist; although the venue wasn’t completely packed – the majority were there to see Akala (rather than the other three acts also performing), he managed to get the audience to the front of the stage, and we were all feeling the energy with him, including sister, Ms Dynamite. Some of the guitar rifts the live band were playing really got me feeling like I wanted to start playing air guitar and moshing – a surprise, I know – but I wasn’t the only one thinking that! For one of his tracks, he brought Niara on stage, who he has been working with for his forthcoming single ‘The Edge’. She threw down some soulful hooks, and their performance together was also overflowing with energy and charisma. Akala also performed his hits ‘Roll Wid Us’ and ‘Bullsht’ – from which, I can say Akala definitely knows how to use his vocab, and political lyrics that addressed pessimism in the world – war, murder, racism, and what’s with disillusions with bling, violence, and morals? ‘That’s bullsht!’ Let’s hope Akala keeps it real, and with the possibility to appeal to a wide audience, he certainly has the ‘edge’. The UK scene needs more artists like this, spitting lyrics that speak the truth, lyrics that make you think, lyrics that have the prospect to make a change. Akala’s single, ‘The Edge’, is out on April 10th, 2006, on Illa State Records. Return To Concert Review Archive
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